Hawking's death, Einstein's birth, and Pi Day: what does it all mean?

He will go down in history as the man who changed the way we view the universe.
USA TODAY

So, is there some mystical theory explaining how noted astrophysicist Stephen Hawking died on the same day Albert Einstein was born, which also happens to be the day we honor the mathematical constant Pi?

Nope. It's just all one giant coincidence.

Hawking died at 76, his family confirmed early Wednesday. He was considered one of the world's foremost theoretical physicists, developing critical theories on black holes and writing A Brief History of Time to explain complex scientific concepts to the masses.

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British Scientist Stephen Hawking, a celebrated theoretical physicist and cosmologist is the author of "A Brief History of Time" and his black hole thermal radiation discovery in 1974 is considered to be one of the most important physics results of the past century. Professor Hawking has a motor neuron disease that has left him completely paralyzed. Seen hereStephen Hawking delivers a keynote speech as he receives the Honorary Freedom of the City of London, March 6, 2017. Hawking was presented the City of London Corporation's highest award Monday in recognition of his outstanding contribution to theoretical physics and cosmology.
Matt Dunham, AP

Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, left, and British scientist Stephen Hawking, center, during a press conference in London on July 20, 2015. Milner and Hawking announced a global science initiative for the search of civilized life in the universe.
Andy Rain, EPA

Professor Stephen Hawking and Eddie Redmayne attend the U.K. premiere of "The Theory Of Everything" at Odeon Leicester Square on Dec. 9, 2014, in London. Redmayne won the 2015 Oscar for best performance by an actor in a leading role for his portrayal of Hawking in the biopic.
Karwai Tang, WireImage

A handout picture released by the London Science Museum on Jan. 5, 2012, and taken on Dec. 14, 2011, shows British scientist Stephen Hawking in his office at the University of Cambridge where he is director of research for the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and founder of the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology. The Science Museum commissioned a series of photographic portraits of Hawking as part of an exhibition to honor the eminent professor as he turned 70 on Jan. 8, 2012.
AFP Photo/London Science Museum/Sarah Lee, Getty Images

President Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to physicist Stephen Hawking during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Aug. 12, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Obama presented the medal, the highest civilian honor in the United States, to 16 recipients during the ceremony.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Dr. Stephen Hawking, professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge, and his daughter Lucy Hawking stand on stage April 21, 2008, at George Washington University's Morton Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Hawking gave a speech entitled "Why we should go into space" as part of a lecture series marking NASA's 50th anniversary.
Paul E. Alers/NASA via Getty Images

Professor Stephen Hawking delivers his speech at the release of the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists" on Jan. 17, 2007, in London. A group of scientists assessing the dangers posed to civilization have moved the Doomsday Clock forward two minutes closer to midnight as an indication and warning of the threats of nuclear war and climate change.
Bruno Vincent, Getty Images